Chapter 726: Regaining European Best
Just like Real Madrid's narrow 1-0 victory, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid also faced strong resistance in the first round, ultimately winning 1-0 against their respective opponents, while Valencia and Sevilla drew with their opponents.
The most surprising result of this round fell to Elche, who defeated Granada 3-1, which made people wonder if this was still the La Liga where teams easily scored five or six goals?
The Spanish newspaper "El País" commented that none of the 20 teams had fully entered into competitive form yet. Whether the top three or the mid-table teams, their performances were generally lackluster, which might be related to the intense summer training schedule.
"For example, take Real Madrid. They traveled between Asia and Europe this summer, visiting a total of five cities. They not only participated in the UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup but also played numerous invitationals and warm-up matches."
"Although the players received adequate training, the frequent travel and matches made them feel exhausted."
"El País" criticized this unrestrained money-making behavior before the season, believing that it would affect the clubs' early season performance.
This viewpoint was quickly taken seriously by Real Madrid. After internal discussions, the managers responsible for the market admitted their mistakes and stated that they would not arrange such a complicated summer schedule in the future.
After the match against Sporting Gijón ended, everyone boarded a charter plane back to Madrid and rested overnight at the Valdebebas training base before completing recovery training the next morning and then dispersing for a break.
Two days later, the team regrouped. Some stayed at the base for training, while many key players, including Wang Feng, departed for Monaco to attend the UEFA awards and the Champions League draw ceremony.
When the Real Madrid delegation appeared at the Grimaldi Forum, countless football practitioners at the conference all looked at them with admiration and applause.
All because the Galactic team's performance in the past season was too dazzling! A league title with a perfect record could be called the greatest miracle in football history. It was almost impossible for any club to reach such heights again.
Not to mention the comeback in the Champions League, indirectly causing former UEFA President Platini and former FIFA President Blatter to fall.
Not seeing the newly appointed Ceferin hurriedly welcoming them and shaking hands tightly with the Chinese superstar, their intimacy was beyond words.
Wang Feng didn't have any special feelings towards the new UEFA helmsman. From his standpoint, he would inevitably have to suppress the top clubs. As long as they weren't too brazen, he could understand.
The three candidates selected for the European Best Player this year, besides the Chinese superstar, were Modric and Messi. However, everyone knew that the other two were just accompanying roles. The real winner was already determined.
"I think I can congratulate you in advance, Wang!" A familiar voice from behind surprised and delighted Wang Feng. He quickly turned around and indeed saw the former captain, Javier Zanetti.
During Wang Feng's time at Inter Milan, he quickly adapted to the environment with Zanetti's care and assistance, gradually growing into a superstar.
Moreover, like Totti, Zanetti remained loyal to a single club throughout his European career until he announced his retirement in 2014, a quality that Wang Feng greatly admired.
After retiring, Moratti hired him as the club's vice president, which the Chinese superstar naturally supported.
The two clasped hands tightly. "You guys were too powerful last season. The European Best Player this year won't escape you; it's all yours!"
"Thank you for your kind words, Javier," Wang Feng said with a smile. "I still need to work hard in the upcoming new season. By the way, why are you here at the awards ceremony?"
Zanetti pointed to the stage. "I was invited as a guest for the Champions League group stage draw. Inter Milan hasn't participated in European competitions for several years since 2011. It's all thanks to your efforts that we have improved and secured a spot in the qualifiers last year."
Saying this, he couldn't help but size up the Chinese superstar, then joked, "It's a bit uncomfortable for me. You're my big boss now."
Wang Feng quickly waved his hand. "Why talk about these? In my heart, you will always be the captain."
They chatted about some past anecdotes. During that time, their families often visited each other, and Wang Feng and Lu Yao were still in a romantic relationship. They admired Zanetti's cute little baby.
Now that he had his own child, Zanetti's son had grown up and entered Inter Milan's youth academy.
As they chatted, the Argentine suddenly asked, "Wang, what do you think about returning to Inter Milan in the future? We all believe that you can revive Inter Milan!"
The Chinese superstar was taken aback. Although Inter Milan couldn't be considered his home team, it was his own club. From the age of 18 to 23, he devoted his youth to the Nerazzurri, where he had many fond memories. He still kept his villa by Lake Como to this day.
"To be honest, I haven't thought about it yet. Maybe it's an option for the future." Zanetti patted Wang Feng on the shoulder, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Their conversation was quickly noticed by attentive individuals, and many media outlets felt they had stumbled upon big news. Why hadn't anyone thought of the Chinese superstar going to Inter Milan?
Signing with his own club as a player or even as a club owner, this was a unique existence in European football. Such publicity would surely attract public attention.
After all, until the day he renewed with the Galactic team, the rumors of Wang Feng's transfer would never cease.
At the awards ceremony, Real Madrid was undoubtedly the biggest winner.
The Best Save of the Season award went to Navas. His incredible save against Juventus in the Champions League semi-final surpassed Ter Stegen and Courtois.
The Best Goal of the Season was awarded to Wang Feng for his incredible long-range bicycle kick against Atlético Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Many players rarely achieve a bicycle kick goal in their entire careers, but the Chinese superstar's overhead kick was absolutely classic.
Messi couldn't hide his disappointment. This was the only award he had a chance to compete for. In the semi-finals against Bayern Munich, his breakthrough on the right and subsequent goal process was fantastic and also nominated for the Best Goal.
However, compared to the tension and beauty of the bicycle kick, it fell slightly short.
The Best Female Player of the Season was selected first. After a vote by 54 journalists present at the scene, after a tense and brief wait, Sashich was successfully elected.
The final highlight was the selection of the Best Male Player of the 2014-2015 UEFA season. Also voted on-site, the big screen in the conference center displayed the magnificent performances of the three candidates over the past season, and the judges made their final decisions.
"Click!"
After everyone finished voting, UEFA President Ceferin projected the results onto the screen. Wang Feng received 53 votes, Messi 1 vote, and Modric 0 votes.
The Chinese superstar was elected as the European Best Player with an absolute advantage, reclaiming this honor after a year!
This result was expected by everyone, but no one expected this voting pattern. With just one vote short, Wang Feng could have received a unanimous vote! The media that voted for Messi quickly became the focus of attention. It was Poland's POLSAT, and its editor-in-chief, in an interview, said that Europe was overshadowed by the Galactic team led by Wang Feng. Only Messi leading Barcelona could barely compete with them, and their indomitable spirit deserved commendation.
Of course, he also admitted that from a competitive standpoint, Wang Feng should have received his vote. However, voting was a very subjective matter. With 53 out of 54 wanting the same thing, it was enough to show that the Chinese superstar's strength was deeply ingrained in people's hearts.
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